An Ode to the Aged

An Ode to the Aged

Achuthan Nair was getting old. After a long stint in Govt. service, and his wife passed away, was staying with his only son, Mukundan Unni.
Unni and Devika, his wife have moved to a new Flat in Kochi, where both are techies. They have a son, Madhav, studying in college.
Achuthan Nair is frail and not so healthy due to age-related issues. When he walks, he has to hold on to the wall...
As a result, wherever he touched, the walls became discolored, shabby and covered with his fingerprints. 

Devika figured this out...would often complain about walls getting dirty, to her husband, though he pretended to have not heard at all.

One day Nair had a severe headache. When it became uncomfortable, he massaged himself with some Ayurvedic oil he had stored earlier in the cupboard on his head. And as he touched the oily hand, oil stains appeared on the walls while moving to the ante-room too. 

Devika could not control her anger and screamed at Mukund to tell his father not to touch the walls while walking. Then, out of anger or frustration suddenly, he shouted and abused his father. Achuthan Nair looked at him in pain and didn't utter a word.
When he became normal, Mukundan  Unni was ashamed of his behavior since his father said nothing and was silent. 
While walking outside one day, his father held onto the wall and screamed with pain in the joints. Soon on another day while walking holding the wall he lost control and fell.  He soon passed away after lying in bed, silently for a few more days with no complaints. 

 Mukundan often felt guilty and remorse. He could never forget his father's expressions. Soon his passing caused him more pain. 
After some time, they wanted to paint the house. When the painters came, Anand, his son, who loved his grandfather more, refused to allow the painters to clean up his father's fingerprints and erase those parts in the room. 
The painters were accommodative,very nice and had an idea. They created a unique design by drawing a beautiful circle around those marks while keeping the fingerprints of the Patriarch Achuthan Nair.
 
Later, that painting on the wall with their father's handprint became the highlight of the home.  Every person who visited their home appreciated the unique design. 

Much water has flown through Periyar and Mukundan Unni also has become old.  Now he needs the support of the wall to walk.  One day while walking, he suddenly remembered those harsh words made to his father.  Immediately, he tried to walk without holding on to the wall. 
His son, Anand was watching this and he immediately came and told him to hold on to the walls while walking.. He looked into his eyes and stood for a moment, silent.. He looked down so that his son wouldn't see the tears swelling in his eyes...!
He walked without the support of the wall and looked, when he was worried that he might fall, he felt his son's hand holding on tightly.
His granddaughter, Aparna who was witnessing all this, immediately came forward and put his hand on her shoulders, and lovingly asked him to walk... Mukundan started crying almost silently inside.  
He felt that if he had done this for his father, he would have lived with them for a longer time... 
Granddaughter took him inside and sat him on the sofa. Then took her drawing book to show him. He saw in it that the teacher appreciated her drawing and gave great comments. 
The sketch she drew in the book was his father's handprint on the walls of their house.  Her caption for it reads….
"Let all children love their elders alike..."   

Mukundan  back in his room could not control himself and asked forgiveness from his late father. 

( We also grow old with time. Let us take care of our elders and teach our children the same ..!! )

🙏🏼

Note: The seed for this story is from WhatsApp Group and the author is not known.

Draupadi's Wailings...

Draupadi's Wailings...

The day's battle had made Draupadi look 80 years old...physically

as well as mentally.

The city was full of widows…There were only a few men around.

Orphan children were seen roaming around and the queen of them all

Draupadi was sitting motionless in the palace of Hastinapur, staring

into the void.

Just then, Shri Krishna enters Draupadi's room.

As soon as she sees Krishna, she runs and hugs him...

Krishna keeps caressing her head and lets her cry.

After a while, he takes her away from himself and makes her sit on

a nearby bed.

Draupadi: What happened, friend? I had not thought so.

Krishna: Destiny is ruthless Panchali. It does not work as we think!

It transforms our actions into results. You wanted to take revenge.

You succeeded, Draupadi! Your revenge is complete...

Not just Duryodhan and Dushasan, all the Kauravas are finished.

You should be happy!

Draupadi: Dear friend, have you come to soothe my wounds or

to sprinkle salt on them?

Krishna: No Draupadi, I have come to make you aware of the reality.

We can not see the results of our actions far ahead and when they are

in front of us.

Draupadi: Then, nothing is in our hands. So, am I completely

responsible for this war, Krishna?

Krishna: No, Draupadi. Don't consider yourself so important...

But, If you had a little foresight in your actions, you would never

have suffered so much.

Draupadi: What could I have done Krishna?

Krishna:- You could have done a lot when your swayamvara took

place... If you had not insulted Karna and allowed him to participate

in the competition, the results would have been different! (1)

After this, when Kunti ordered you to become the wife of five

husbands, and if you had not accepted, the results would have been

different....(2)And after that, you insulted Duryodhan in your palace saying that

" the sons of blind men are blind". (3)

If you had not said that, your disrobing would not have happened...

Even then, perhaps, the circumstances would have been different. (4)

"Our words are also our deeds" Draupadi, and "It is very important

to weigh our every word before speaking. Otherwise, its adverse

effects keep making not only ourselves but our entire surroundings

unhappy. Man is the only creature in the world whose poison is not

in his teeth but in his words”.

Therefore use words wisely. Use such words, which do not hurt

anyone’s feelings!  The Mahabharata resides within each and

every one of us.

Epilogue:

Draupadi is the most prominent female character in the Mahabharata. Her given name at birth is Krishnaa, but since she is the daughter of Drupada she is called Draupadi. She is also known as Panchali – or the ‘daughter of Panchala’. She is also known as Yajnasena since born out of the Yagna.

Draupadi is often considered the primary reason for the destruction of the Kuru dynasty. Indeed, she takes birth as a grown young woman in a sacrifice performed by Drupada, in which the king asks for a ‘weapon’ with which the Kurus can be defeated.

Many kings participated in the contest, but most of them could not even string the bow. Seeing the failures of the kings, Karna, the son of Sun God approached the bow, wielded it, and was about to shoot the arrow when Panchali loudly said " I will not select a Suta as my husband ".Then Karna, laughing in vexation and insulted, threw aside the bow already drawn to a circle and left the assembly.

a

When everybody failed, Arjuna, disguised as a Brahmin, approached the bow, strung it, and pierced the eye of the fish in a single attempt. The Kshatriyas present there objected to the marriage, as they did not know that the Brahmin was Arjuna. Therefore, they attacked him, but could not do much before the strength of the Pandavas. Then Draupadi requested the monarchs to stop the fight as she had been rightfully acquired by the Brahmin. Then, the warriors stopped fighting and returned to their kingdoms.

2. Apart from the curses and boons in her previous lives, one more incident happened when Pandavas returned to their abode along with Draupadi. They approached their mother and presented Yajnaseni to her as the alms they had obtained that day. Kunti, who was inside the room said: “Enjoy you all (whatever you have obtained).” A moment later, when she saw Panchali, ‘Oh, what have I said?’ and felt sorry to say so and expressed her regret to Yudhishthira. Pandavas were devoted to their mother and never turned down any of her orders. Yudhishthira understood the situation and told Arjuna, “O Arjuna, you have won her. Therefore, she should be your wife only. Therefore, ignite the sacred fire and marry her with due rites.” But Arjuna declined his suggestion because his elder brothers, Yudhishthira and Bhima, were unmarried. Yudhishthira remembered the story of Draupadi’s previous birth told by Sage Vyasa by which Draupadi was supposed to have five husbands in this birth because of a boon from Lord Shiva. Therefore, Yudhishthira pronounced that Draupadi would be their common wife.

3. When Pandavas reached Hastinapur after the marriage with Panchali, the elders decided to divide the kingdom and give some part to Pandavas. There they built, with the help of Mayasura, a magnificent city named Indraprastha. Pandavas defeated most of their adversaries in the battle. And arranged for Rajasuya Yajna to proclaim Yudhishthira, Chakravarti Samrat. For the yajna, they invited Duryodhana and many other kings.

In Pandava’s palace, Mayasura had designed a water pool that looked like a floor. Thinking it was a floor, Duryodhana stepped into it and fell into the water. Seeing this, Draupadi could not control herself and laughed at him. As in some stories, she said, “A blind man’s son is also blind”. Duryodhana got very angry with her and decided to take revenge for his insult.

4. Later, in the game of dice, she was pledged by Yudhishtira. Subsequently, Draupadi was disrobed in the assembly by the orders of Duryodana. Bhima took an oath to kill Kauravas at the instance of Draupadi. Before the attempt of Draupadi Vastraharan, Pandavas did not think about killing Kauravas because they considered them their brothers, even though Duryodhana had tried to kill them.

  It was told in some stories, indirectly Draupadi was responsible for the killing of Kauravas and helped Lord Krishna establish dharma.

The Birbal Story

The Birbal Story

Akbar, the Great, one of the prominent Mughal emperors who ruled India, went hunting one day in the summer, accompanied by a group of attendants. They searched the entire forest but did not find a single animal. He traveled many miles on horseback. Akbar and his team were exhausted due to extreme fatigue and thirst. If only we had some water! Their tongues were parched and they searched everywhere for water. "Let's go to the nearest village," Akbar said. When they went some distance, they saw a boy walking carrying a small bag. Akbar asked the boy: "We are very thirsty; where can we get some water?" "There is a pond near my house. "I will show you the way there," replied the boy. The boy was very eager to show the way to the horsemen. A man put the boy on his horse. The horses galloped away with loud hoofs. They quickly reached the pond.

The boy fetched water from the pool and gave it to everyone. When he poured water for Akbar with a smile, the emperor asked the boy: "What is your name?" "What is your name?" - The boy turned and asked a question. Akbar was shocked to hear this unexpected question. The emotion in his mind was also reflected on his face. The emperor's face became more serious. "Do you know who I am?" he asked in a rather high-pitched voice. The boy laughed without hesitation and asked another question. "Do you know the Brahmin priest in this village?" "I don't know," said Akbar. "Yes, I want to tell you the answer." The boy replied confidently.

The attendants waited anxiously to see what was about to happen. Suddenly, Akbar's face became clear like the cloudless sky. He laughed; took off his ring and gave it to the child; Then he said: "Let this be for giving us water and speaking as a lime. That ring will speak who I am." While the boy was looking at the ring back and forth, Akbar and his team got on the horse. On that ring studded with a sparkling ruby ​​stone was written: "Akbar"! The boy stared at Emperor Akbar in wonder. When you grow old you should come to my palace in Delhi. Show that ring and you can enter it. Saying this, Akbar left the place driving the horse and then the team of horses. Then the boy remembered something. He said he had not told him his name and ran back. "My name is Mahesh Das.......Mahesh Das "Who will listen? No one heard the boy shouting over the sound of horses' hooves!

When Mahesh was sixteen, he came to Delhi to meet Emperor Akbar. He approached the guard standing at the palace gate. He told the story of Akbar coming to his village years back. The guards looked at him in disdain (since he was not very well dressed) and asked why they should let him in. He showed them the ring that was given to him by the emperor as proof. One of the guards realized that this individual was important to the emperor and gave him permission to enter, based on one condition: the young man would share half of what he received from the emperor with the guard. Mahesh Das promised to do so and was given access to the court of Emperor Akbar.

The palace was a wonderful sight for Mahesh. He walked through the vast and beautiful palace and reached Akbar's audience. Mahesh sat on a chair and saw Akbar sitting on a golden throne. Akbar asked the audience in front: "Which is the most beautiful flower in the world?" Many people said many names. Mahesh said loudly, “ Cotton is the best flower in my opinion. It has no smell.” The crowd in unison laughed. When the noise was contained, Akbar asked: "What is the reason for saying cotton? Can you explain?" Mahesh stood up again and said. "O Lord! From cotton, the famous fabrics of your country are woven. Muslin and voile yield it. They are as delicate as the gentle breeze and beautiful as the rainbow. I prefer cotton to any other flower." Akbar liked the explanation. Akbar asked. "What is your name?" Where do you come from?" "My name is Mahesh. You came to my village seven years ago while hunting. I fetched water from the village pool for your thirsty group to drink. You gave me a ring that day. You said that I should come here when I am old." Akbar laughed and said, "I remember, and happy that you have come. You can stay in the palace as long as you wish." Akbar remembered the rash boy of that day.  And benevolent King asked him if anything else in particular he wanted.

 The young man thought a while and asked the emperor for fifty lashes of the whip. The emperor was amazed but he knew that Mahesh Das was a very astute young man and asked him the reason for his wish. Mahesh Das revealed to the emperor the deal that he had made with the guard outside the fort. The emperor was thoroughly amused and angry at the same time. He awarded fifty lashes to the guard for his impertinence and his habit of bullying people. He rewarded Mahesh Das by including him in his court and giving him all the comforts he could desire. He also bestowed on him the name of Birbal.

 Birbal, an Indian folk hero noted for his wit and cleverness, was one of the nine gems of Akbar. To this day, this duo is remembered by everyone, especially children through the fancy and witty tales.

Robin Sharma's " Who Will Cry When You Die? "

                                                             

Who Will Cry When You Die?"  

Robin Sharma, Author of the book, is a world-renowned leadership expert, author, and speaker. Sharma started a career as a litigation lawyer, but he quit that high-stress, high-paying lifestyle at age 25 because he felt unfulfilled. However, it wasn’t until the release of his second book, "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari", a spiritual guide in the form of a parable, that Sharma gained recognition as a self-improvement guru.

The book is full of preachings about "the right way to lead a good life" presented in a list-like manner rather than the thoughts weaved in a storyline or put philosophically to make an interesting read. If leading a fulfilling life was as simple as following a checklist the world wouldn't be distressed. Contemplating your life for half the time that you would need to finish the book would be much more fruitful. Everything explained in the book is true, except that there is not a single 'thing to do' mentioned throughout the book that one still needs to do or was at least aware of.

The book would have more global appeal, especially to people with a very hectic lifestyle and a mechanical routine. In Who Will Cry When You Die? Robin Sharma demands you ask yourself if, on your deathbed, you’ll look back on life and feel you got the most out of it. If your answer to this is “no,” Sharma provides 101 pieces of advice to help you build a life you’ll feel good about. These range from broad perspective shifts to specific actionable ones all to give you greater control over your life so you can make it one worth living.

Here are some lessons from the book, a collection of insights and wisdom aimed at helping readers live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

1. Live with Purpose: Sharma emphasizes living with a sense of purpose. Knowing your purpose gives direction and meaning to your life and motivates you to positively impact the world

2. Practice Gratitude: Cultivating gratitude for the blessings in your life can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment. Sharma encourages readers to express gratitude daily and appreciate the beauty and abundance around them.

3. Take Risks: Taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone is essential for personal growth and success. Sharma advocates for embracing challenges and seizing opportunities for growth and development.

4. Be Authentic: Authenticity is about being true to yourself and aligning with your values and beliefs. Sharma encourages readers to embrace their uniqueness and live authentically, without trying to please others or conform to societal expectations.

5. Live in the Present Moment: The present moment is all we have, and learning to live fully in the present can lead to greater peace and happiness. Sharma advocates for mindfulness and being fully engaged in each moment of life.

6. Serve Others: Serving others and making a positive difference in the lives of others brings deep fulfillment and joy. Sharma encourages readers to look for opportunities to serve and contribute to the well-being of others.

7. Take Care of Your Health: Physical, mental, and emotional well-being are essential for a fulfilling life. Sharma emphasizes the importance of taking care of your health through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and self-care practices.

8. Keep Learning: Lifelong learning is key to personal growth and development. Sharma encourages readers to be curious, seek knowledge, and continuously strive to improve themselves.

9. Practice Forgiveness: Holding onto grudges and resentment only weighs you down. Sharma advocates for the practice of forgiveness as a way to release negative emotions and find peace within yourself.

10. Live with Passion: Living with passion and enthusiasm makes life more vibrant and exciting. Sharma encourages readers to pursue their passions, follow their dreams, and live with zest and energy.

Conclusion:

Having said the above,  most of us may ponder over what is next.

Now and then, we come across motivational speeches and writings either from social media or self-help books about various subjects. It has become a lucrative business. Though most of them try to involve us to release some “ feel good’” factors, for the time being, it ceases after some time. Mostly the subject is “ success “ and for the speaker or author, it lies in money, power, prestige, or anything else he chooses.  Is not ”success”  subjective? You may be successful in one thing and a loser in another. Many a dream is sacrificed to pursue a purposeful, prioritized arena. Success is about winning the most important aspect of life.

Most of the content of the motivators is stereotypical norms which in the long run become a burden because the things that excite us today may not move us tomorrow. For them, it is a trick to create a problem and make money. Motivational content mostly ignores the probabilities and privileges of anybody’s success. Perhaps what we need is a society that accepts us as it is and cares about catching us when we fall.

No matter what hopeless situation you are in now, there will be a fire in the belly when you realize you are made for bigger things. A fire of self-belief. When that happens, no force can put out that fire. 

😐

Festival Bonus

 

                                           Festival Bonus

Mohan was on his regular evening walk to Tower Park. There was an unusually huge crowd in front of the Ration shop. No surprise, it is the month of January and Pongal festival days are ahead starting next week onwards.

The shop distributes the extra quota of rice, sugar, and other cereals at controlled rates, to the BPL card holders during the Pongal celebration. In addition, they supply two varieties of clothes- dhoti and saree wares in Superfine and Fine qualities. Fine quality, one can see thro' whole of Tamilnadu whereas  Superfine is like a Chinese fishing net, you can see the whole of India, somebody said jokingly,  because it is so thin and refined.

The Ration shops are under the Block Co-operative Society. The Shop owner is responsible for maintaining records and has to submit monthly reports to the president on the stock of rice, sugar, and other items and the period's profit. The present President was removed by the Board due to corruption charges. A  retired Major in the area was made President at a shareholders' meeting and the idea was to control manipulation and black marketing of the products.

 
Once settled, rice, wheat, sugar, and other cosmetic items started moving to Major’s house from the Ration shop at lean hours or under the moonlight. Once the stock had become surplus, his house became a parallel society godown and a few friendly merchants took advantage by clearing the stock at a profitable price to them and the Major. 

As days passed, the Ration shop owners joined to discuss their margin loss despite giving the share to Major and made a complaint to the Board. The Board after due deliberation removed the President. Next came a more experienced retired Manager working in a Supermarket chain as the New President to clear the mess and improve the distribution system. He assured a positive change to the consumers but discreetly announced that he would take only half of the commission being paid to the ex-president.

While returning from the walk another day, Mohan saw there was a huge crowd shouting and howling at the Shop owner, and surprisingly the President was among them asking the reason for their agitation suddenly. One of the agitated complained about not issuing the superfine clothes to them and told the shop owner was hiding the clothes in the Almirah. And on a query from the President, the shop owner stated that it was wrong and he had only Fine clothes. Further, the President went inside and checked, and to his surprise, he noticed the super fine clothes were wrapped in separate bundles behind Fine quality clothes.

The public complaint was true and he came out and announced: "See folks, what you were saying is correct. Let me tell you from my experience. Fine clothes will last longer and the prices are also lower. Whoever wants the Superfine variety can buy them at a higher price.  Anyhow, the shop owner who lied and created a problem for you all is transferred to the Kattumedu Shop with immediate effect and he will leave tomorrow ".

There was no more demand for Superfine clothes and the President was seen off by departing crowd with  Zindabad and Jai ho sooner. 

The same day evening the shop owner met the President at his home and thanked him profusely for arranging his transfer to his hometown so quickly and handed over a bundle containing five Superfine dhoties!.

And roared, " Happy Pongal ..Saar !".

 

😏

The Mess and the Minister

 

The Mess and the Minister

This story has a background of more than 20 years. The value of Rs 10 for that period will cost Rs 100 now. The fall and damage of currency!

We had a Food Minister who enjoyed food, especially so if it was non-vegetarian. Rightly so, he was healthy in his body as well as mentally. No doubt he is one of the finest ministers of that day. His itinerary had the habit of entering the Minister’s chamber on time after a good breakfast and visiting the Pillaiyar Kovil on the way regularly and back home for the special lunch made ready by his beloved wife.

There happened a break to this routine one day when CM had called for an urgent meeting and hence was held up in the Secretariat. He was a little upset about his schedule change, but summoned his PS, Menon, to enquire about a good non-veg lunch to be served nearby.

‘’ Yes sir, Nair Military Mess is nearby and they will deliver us too, on time". said the PS.

The telephone message from the Minister’s office was a bonanza or lottery to the Owner of the Mess, his happiness knew no bounds. The bearer was rushed to deliver a full course of meals to the Secretariate chamber with add-ons in double the quantity usually served. Keeping aside other issues for the ensuing meeting, he fell upon the Mess menu and attacked the same with due respect. The Minister asked his PS in confidence the cost of the food and he got the answer at a fifty percent discounted price. So joyful, he placed the next order for the evening Tea with tasteful items like Cutlet, Masala Dosa, Dal Vada, and Jalebis with a good quantity of Coffee. He was charged only half the rate of the lunch menu. 

In the evening, once the official meetings were over, the Minister issued a new order, that henceforth his food menu for lunch and evening tea, etc were awarded to Nair Military Mess and whenever he had to attend the morning meetings breakfast also would be served by them. He will travel less during office hours and to the outskirts to reduce fuel costs.

The local news bulletin announced through Aakashvani in the evening, was a bolt from the blue. The custodian of Nair Mess fell unconscious and when regained thought, if he withdrew the discounts on the Menu, sure action would follow even by an order to close the residential Mess for running it as a Restuarant with of forgery to avoid taxes. His niece, an economics graduate added fuel with an advise stating if he continued the service, it would take only three months at the most to close the shop. 

Nair and his family were in a dilemma and after a prolonged discussion took advice from the local MLA of the opposition party. His commission was fixed and his plan was to rake up the five-year-old case against our Minister on the purchase of sugar from UP State at a higher price violating all tender conditions known infamously as “ Sugar Gate”. It worked precisely and within a month, the CM forced his Food Minister to tender his resignation until he was cleared of all charges.

Without knowing the back door scenario, the Minister was waiting for his lunch as usual and for the delay in the arrival of lunch. Neither Menon, his PS nor Orderly were to be seen around. But it was then he was shocked to see the note on his table from Nair Mess which read:

‘‘We do not serve subsidized food to ex-ministers, and no carrier had left to the Secretariate today as per rules of the Mess”.

It was not known when the Minister regained his senses!

😏

Co -existence

 

                                Co-existence

Kumuda is employed as a UDC in the Revenue Division and her husband Manimaran is with the Police Supdt 's office. as an Inspector. A house where both the civil and criminal powers were well balanced. They have two children, Ritu and Ravi, and live in a modest house in a posh area of the city.

Office clients or their agents visit them on weekends or holidays to obtain favors. Though costly, transactions with pleasure are often considered at home, and either of them are happy.

The routine is almost the same for Kumuda. Get up early, enter the kitchen add mixed powders proportionately, and give a name to it before packing for the children and Maran and herself to their respective places. If time permits, she goes for a wash, rushes to nearby Pillaiyar Kovil, and submits to him with small demands. To buy a coconut will be a luxury as an offering which anyway will be handed over back half split by the Pujari, though the next day it will add spice to lunch, with chutney,  pachadi, kichadi, or Fish curry immersed in coconut milk! 

When one such day she casually happened to read the column on’ Cooking Styles’  in  Women’s Day Magazine and laughed to read that in the olden days, women spent more than 15 hours in the kitchen and the taste of the food remained for a fortnight and more. Why not possible for the present-day generation, thought Kumuda since they have a Piped gas connection and four burner stove. It requires only 3 hours!  

The next day, she announced to her family that she may not go to the office. DM may be angry but not bothered, the Deputy is on her side. She packed bread, butter, and jam as a standby and boarded the children on the school bus and her husband on his route bus. Later she took an auto and went to market,  collected fresh vegetables, and returned in the same vehicle. In no time she changed to a cooking girls’ attire from a working women’s dress and fired all the burners.

When the feast was ready with all the items, she had her bath, and took full meals and the time was already 12.30. Now there should be no further delay to reach the office before lunch break. She transhipped the special menu to a deck carrier and kept the plantain leaf across the carrier. Dressed up to a working girl, locked the house, and was ready on the road to catch the regular auto of Murugan. Without waiting much in the hot sun and pitying the poor folk sweating, reached the office by Lunch break.

‘‘Oh Kumuda Mam, what is special in the carrier and the bag? Are there any confidential papers? Any promotion list for us? “ 

She cut short the subordinates from their questions and rushed to DM’s Chamber. On seeing her with the baggage, Mishra, a handsome, bachelor officer is curious to know what is in the carrier?  ‘Sir, it is my birthday today, and have brought the Special lunch for you.” said Kumuda without waiting for his next word and prying eyes. Kumuda cleared the desk, sending the files to the record room. She spread the plantain leaf and served the dishes one by one slowly smiling. DM was so pleased to see the spread and aura of the food, that no words came out while enjoying the food with both hands and eyes!

No desserts, Kumuda?’ came the voice from the officer.

Kumuda immersed herself in the thoughts of the man in front of her suddenly woke up and took a piece of jaggery from beneath her pajama pocket and gave it to him, saying ‘Dessert… sweet sir”. 

'Was it all prepared by you, It's all too good. Oh you took leave today, isn’t it ?', said DM.

‘No sir, I was about to tell you….”

‘Don’t tell anything. Not to take leave also. Bring me on all working days a carrier like this..and err..know add-ons too.

Kumuda was too happy to hear what he wanted and ready to pass on the cover the next day to DM. Some of the Clients are waiting to come home to honor their commitments with more requests and she was too glad to serve them and her citizen that way!

😘

 

 

Money matters

                                              Money Matters

It is almost a decade and a half since  Madhav Menon and  Madhavi Amma settled in “Madhavi Nilayam “, the ancestral house endowed in her name in God's own country.  Nair had many years of service in a very senior position at different locations in the country and agreed to the wishes of his wife to transport himself to the rural background of Kerala.

  After a heavy morning breakfast, he had nothing else to do, except wait for the next course of the middle-class lunch getting ready in the kitchen with the combined efforts of  Kalyani, the at-home maid under the supervision of  Madhavi Amma. 

There were materials to read on the table, local and English News journals, magazines in the vernacular of special interest to the lady of the house in particular, spicy and juicy. She was deprived of this luxury when he was in service in Cities and god-forsaken remote locations. Out of the bunch he took  ‘India Today’  and saw an article by Dr. Paranjpai on Money matters. It must be good, thought Menon.  He writes beautifully without cliches. Even if not, why bother?  

If you think about it in Vedantic terms, money is nothing. It is for the haves, an instrument to exchange, bargain, and flourish. For the have-nots a piece of paper with beautifully carved pictures on either side.

Sundry thoughts looming large over them, he looked far to the compound and saw Kunjan seriously around the plantain at his odd jobs. Forgot that some cash was required by evening to pay for his labor, thought Menon and rushed him to the Bank for currency.  

 ‘Yes Sir, today being Saturday, they work up to 2 pm only for money transactions’, Kunjan said. While handing over the Signed  Cheque for Rs 2000/-, Menon is appreciative of his general knowledge. He sped away in no time to the Bank. The Bank Branch mainly deals in gold loans and is smarter than the World Bank, having an H.O. in Tamil Nadu. 

Already Lunch announcement call came a few times from inside the Dining room. Without waiting Menon finished the two-course lunch in the company of Madhavi Amma and had chewed his Pan combo, a habit cultivated long ago.

 By this time came the rich man Kunjan with Cash in hand. And handed over new notes of Rs.500 three each, Rs 200 two no.s, and two lottery tickets of Rs100 each, scratching his head for acceptance.

‘Who asked you to take Lottery tickets, or is it a counterfeit’ questioned Menon. 

‘Tickets? Where from? It’s all new Notes. It has come in the Newspaper too". Kunjan said.  'Don’t talk about newspapers. You could have taken one more 500. There is no box or border or Gandhi in these notes, but only colors. Ask them to give these notes to Gold loan customers.

Kunjan couldn’t but laugh at Menon and pitied who was so knowledgeable and had foreign degrees in Economics and all that, but didn’t utter a word.

Okay, OK go now. You should give original notes in case unable to buy something later. Come back soon in the afternoon without wasting time for having spent a lot in the Bank. 

Kalyani came in between smiling and handed over a carrier and plate containing lunch to Kunjan. They have cultivated a special relationship known to Amma and Menon.

Why haven’t you joined the Comrades, Kunjan asked Menon half-wittingly. 

‘ Not necessary sir,  I will collect my quota, kept near the side room, along with wage in the evening before leaving and it is economically more viable.’ was Kunjan’s repartee.

😏

The ‘foreign hand’

 

The ‘foreign hand’

The ‘foreign hand' bogey was not new to us. One heard of the foreign hand during the last few years of Mrs Indira Gandhi's Prime Ministership in the 1980s. In several public speeches and political meetings, the powerful first lady raised the specter of the dark foreign forces trying to destabilize the country. Rajiv Gandhi, who rode the sympathy wave generated by the assassination of his mother and Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, in 1984, also frequently talked of the ‘invisible' foreign hand, trying to impede the development of India. Without private TV channels, the messages carried by the print media and the state-run Doordarshan and radio on these dark and invisible forces were quite powerful.

Perhaps it was during the time of the Gupta kings, that several editors corrected the typos in the Puranic epics. Anyone can write and add anything like history. Those who have gone before can correct what was written by self-correctors.
 
In the epic Ramayana, we hear the story of Kaikeyi saving King Dasaratha during the war against Asuras. When the chariot's axle was loosened and about to collapse, she put her right hand in it, thus saving the King. As an expression of his joy and love, the King granted her two boons, which she chose to use at an appropriate time. However, in the end, it did not help her. Is not the Kaikeyi’s act shrewd in mystery? Dasaratha in his dream saw the beautiful and most loved Kaikeyi taking the form of Manathra, the hunch-backed woman extending her “Hand” to his throat choking and feeling unconscious.

Sri Rama has been away for fourteen years, on a detour of the land and Lanka, and returned to be crowned with all pomp and popularity. Soon Sita was sent to the forests again. Was it not the same beloved Sita absolved of all impurities by the Fire test in Lanka in the presence of all? Again, on flimsy grounds and with rumors of washermen she was banished to the forests and fetch for herself!  Did the foreign hand play there too?

The involvement of outsiders in the Mahabharata story can be traced back to Gandhari and her brother Sakuni. The Mahabharata narrative has been attributed to the participation of external parties, particularly Gandhari and her brother Sakuni. Their primary objective was to inflict punishment on Bhishma, while also seeking to gain control over Haryana and Punjab, to annex them with Gandhara, and rule over an expansive kingdom. Notably, Gandhari, who had blinded herself, was not only responsible for rendering King Dritarashtra physically blind but also mentally incapacitated. Furthermore, Sakuni's strategy to engage Dharmaputra in a game of dice was intended to bring about the downfall of the Kurus.

Have you ever considered the fact that Gandhari, is a woman with a heart full of emotions and feelings? She is a character that shouldn't be judged by her actions but rather by the circumstances that led her to make those choices. Let's take a moment to reflect on her story and understand the depth of her character and interests too. 

After hearing the advice of Sage Vyasa, Vidura, his minister, and Bharata, Dristarashtra asked his wife and queen Gandhari if the war was necessary. She burst out, untying the knot in her eyes, and said, "Are you human and a king? Don't you know that half the kingdom is claimed by Pandavas? Do you want the other half to go as well, leaving my brother Sakuni empty-handed?"

Silence was the answer from the King and he lamented to himself: The Astro charts suggested the name Suyodhana to his heir and son but the unknown hands thrust on him to be known as Duryodana. And he was sure of the inevitable war and the ruin of his kingdom. Why didn't God make him deaf but only blind?

😞

( P.s:  Only fictional imagination and does not contribute to the idea in any way )